Dear Ben...

Has it really been 2 years? Damn, this is kind of awkward...isn't it? Well, I mean aside from me writing this fictional letter on my stupid fucking blog, that'd I'd never really have the balls to send to you. Yet, anyhow...let's not think about all that. What's awkward is me asking you "what the fuck happened to you man?" You WERE the Detroit Pistons. Not kidding, you WERE the franchise. You built us up from the ground, set the wheels in motion, reaped the rewards, and will forever be held near and dear in our hearts, particularly when we recall the 2004 Champions.

And then somehow, I tend to agree that Flip tried to make you the scapegoat of not being a "fit" in his offense when we clunked out in the playoffs against Miami a few years back. Yet, where is the drive and the passion? OK, enough about nostalgia...seriously Ben, what the fuck happened? You were the prize of the free agent market a couple summers ago. You "claimed" Detroit was your home. And still, when you left I promised to bear no hard feelings. However, Chicago? Come on...I still wonder why? Wait, I know why...it was the money, no it was the respect. There you went on your way to turn the young Bulls into the elite team of the Eastern Conference. Father time is a bitch...ain't it?

Fair is fair, but what was I supposed to do with my inflatable defender? Again, like I promised back then and stand by today...no hard feelings. Besides, as it is today the joke is kind of on you now isn't it? I mean dude, Tyson Chandler is making you look like a chump. You single handedly confirmed what most Piston fans already knew, Joe Dumars knows his shit. I feel kind of bad, because technically speaking he pawned off a lemon on the Bulls. And sorry to be harsh Ben, but you were that lemon. I guess in technical terms...he really didn't pawn off the lemon. Basically, he suckered somebody else into buying a used car that he knew was run down.

I'm dead serious, you saved his ass and you may have saved the Pistons. I know all the expectations you carried with you to Chicago, it was simply too much. And now, the notion of taking this young team over the top seems like a far away mirage. I mean, when you are fighting for "PT" with Jo-Jo Noah and Joe Smith; it can't be good. I feel for you in that regard, because Ben...I loved you when you were with the Pistons. How the hell did it take you until mid November to grab double digit rebounds in one game? OK, don't answer that.

And that's why I've gotta let you know, I'm not trying to be harsh. No sir, I'm grateful for all you did and continue to do for the Pistons. I don't know what we'd do if we had you on the books for $15 million a year, including close to $18 for next season. My god, what would we do? Don't answer that, just know you saved the Pistons twice buddy and that's why there will NEVER, EVER be any hard feelings. Long and short, I guess I'm saying thanks.

Peace-